Adjustable hanger device

ABSTRACT

A hanger device comprises a support member with two spacedapart, substantially parallel arms, and a sleevelike member which includes an upper portion and two side portions. The upper portion is disposed on the arms and the side portions are disposed therearound to enable the sleevelike member to be slid along the support member. A longitudinally extending ridge is formed in the upper portion to center hanging articles. There may also be provided an extension hook including two spaced-apart, substantially parallel arms also slidably disposed in the sleevelike member.

United States Patent Larson 1 *Feb. 1, 1972 [54] ADJUSTABLE HANGERDEVICE [72] Inventor: CharlesOlLarson, Sterling, 111.

[73] Assignee: Chas. O. Larson Co., Sterling, Ill.

[ Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Oct. 20,1987, has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: Apr. 2, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 812,644

[52] U.S.Cl ..211/57,211/59,21 1/94.5,

211/162, 248/219, 248/D1G. 3, 312/50, 312/184 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47t' 7/00[58] FieldoISearch ..211/54,57,16,59, 125,162,

211/6, 49 D, 94.5; 312/37, 50, 42, 321,189, 60, 35, 184; 248/247249,219, 339, 239, DIG. 3; 221/312 A; 294/27 H, 27, 31.2; 16/115, 114 A [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,070,339 12/1962 Schayer...

3,534,864 10/1970 Larson ..21l/59 X D201,810 8/1965 Castellano. 211/125X 1,939,027 12/1933 Stewart ...248/219 X 2,262,339 11/1941 Shaffer..l6/114 A X 2,578,233 12/1951 Entsminger ..294/27 X 3,162,312 12/1964Hobson ..248/D1G. 3 UX 3,200,960 8/1965 Banse ..211/182 X 3,245,5474/1966 Felkay..... ..248/D1G. 3 UX 3,483,995 12/1969 Larson ..211/57FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 225,385 1/1963 Austria 248/D1G. 3

732,531 3/1943 Germany ..211/59 986,764 3/1965 Great Britain ..21 1/71Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham FrankelAttorney-Prangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar 8:. Vogel [5 7] ABSTRACT Ahanger device comprises a support member with two spaced-apart,substantially parallel arms, and a sleevelike member which includes anupper portion and two side portions. The upper portion is disposed onthe arms and the side portions are disposed therearound to enable thesleevelike member to be slid along the support member. A longitudinallyextending ridge is formed in the upper portion to center hangingarticles. There may also be provided an extension hook including twospaced-apart, substantially parallel arms also slidably disposed in thesleevelike member.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB '1 I972 SHEET 2 OF 2ADJUSTABLE HANGER DEVICE This invention relates to an apertured panelhanger device for display and dispensing articles of merchandise. Inparticular, the invention relates to an adjustable hanger device havingmeans for maintaining hanging articles centered on the device.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable hanger device foruse with a supporting upstanding apertured panel having a plurality ofpairs of holes therethrough, the two holes of each of the pairs of holesbeing aligned horizontally and spaced apart a predetermined distance,the hanger device comprising a support member including two spaced-apartsubstantially parallel arms each having at one end means for mountingthereof in an associated hole of one of the pairs of holes, and asleevelike member including a single piece of material including anupper portion extending across the upper surfaces of the arms and sideportions integral with the upper portion and wrapped around the outersides of the arms, the sleevelike member being fitted across the armsand adapted to slide longitudinally along the support member foradjusting the length of the hanger device, the upper portion having anupwardly extending ridge in the center thereof to center hangingarticles supported on the sleevelike member.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of thisinvention to provide on the sleevelike member a ridge which has aU-shaped cross section.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable hangerdevice having an extension hook including two spacedapart substantiallyparallel arms extending into the sleevelike member and adapted to slidelongitudinally with respect to the sleevelike member for furtheradjusting the length of the hanger device.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object is to provide anadjustable hanger device having an extension hook with its outer endupturned to prevent hanging articles from accidentally slidingtherefrom.

In connection with the aforementioned object, it is a further object ofthis invention to provide an extension hook having an opening at itsouter end to allow the extension hook to be hung over one of thelast-mentioned arms when the extensio hook is not in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable hanger device, accordingto the invention, with the sleevelike member extended and mounted on anapertured panel shown fragmentally;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger device of FIG. 1, showncarrying a plurality of packages of merchandise;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a section taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental front elevational view of the top of a package ofmerchandise;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a section taken along the line 55of FIG. 1 and including a phantom view of the top of a centered hangingpackage of merchandise;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hanger device according to theinvention as shown in FIG. I and including a phantom fragmental view ofthe sleevelike member in a fully retracted position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adjustable hanger device with thesleevelike member extended and including an extension hook extendingfrom its outer end;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support member, the sleevelikemember, and the extension hook illustrating their relationship to oneanother;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adjustable hanger device showing theextension hook hung over an arm of the support member; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a section taken along line 10-10ofFIG. 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive, there is shown a hangerdevice, generally designated 100, which is mounted on an upstandingdisplay board 50, which is preferably of the apertured paneled orperforated or hole-punched type. The holes 51 punched through thedisplay board 50 are commonly aligned in horizontal rows and verticalcolumns, spaced apart a predetermined distance, as shown in FIGS. 1 and2. The hanger device comprises two pieces, a solid, U-shaped rod memberand a sleevelike member 120 fitted over the rod member 110 and slidablelongitudinally therealong to effect adjustment of the length of thehanger device 100. Hanger device 100 is so constructed that when mountedon display board 50 it extends outwardly from and substantially normalto the plane of the display board.

In this configuration, hanger device 100 is well adapted to receivepackages of merchandise for display. Such packages are shown in FIGS. 2and 4 and are generally designated 60. Each of the packages 60 includesa bag 61 or baglike portion formed of a transparent material such as aplastic, and having an open upper end through which the articles ofmerchandise may be inserted. The upper end is shown in FIG. 4 and isclosed by a strip 62 of relatively more rigid material, such ascardboard which is folded over the upper end of the bag and securedthereto by suitable fastening means such as staples. The strip 62 thusserves not only to close the bag 61, but also as a semirigid means forsuspending the package from a supporting member, such as the hangerdevice of the invention.

To this end, strip 62 is formed with a crosslike slot 63 positioned inthe center, so shaped that the sleevelike member 120 is capable of beingpassed therethrough. The shape of slot 63 resembles that of a cross,formed by two perpendicular rectangles. The rectangles have equal widthsand unequal lengths with each side representing a width being arcuatelyshaped. The largest rectangle has its longest side substantiallyparallel to the top of the package and lies with its midpointapproximately at the midpoint of strip 62. The shortest rectangle isperpendicular to the largest one. FIG. 2 shows a typical arrangement ofa plurality of packages 60 on the hanger device 100 according to theinvention. The packages are centered on the hanger device and aspackages are moved, the sleevelike member 120 is slid back along the rodmember 110 so that the outermost package is always near the end of thehanger device for easy access.

In the preferred embodiment the cardboard strip 62 forms a backing whichextends down the length of the bag 61, the upper end of said cardboardstrip 62 being folded over the top of the bag 61 and downwardly alongthe front of the bag 61 for a short distance and then being folded backupwardly upon itself to thereby form a triple layer of cardboardenclosing the upper end of the bag 61 (see FIG. 5) which is then stapledto the bag. This double-folded construction affords greater strength andrigidity to the package at its point of support by the hanger device ofthe invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the construction of the hanger deviceaccording to the invention will be considered in more detail. The rodmember 110 is bent into a U-shape having an arcuate closed end 115,substantially parallel arms 111 integral with said closed end 115, andpreferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distancebetween horizontally adjacent ones of the holes 51 in apertured panel50. The length of each of the arms 111 is preferably several timesgreater than the separation between them. Each of the arms 1 11 has atits end opposite closed end 115, a means for mounting the arm on theapertured panel. This mounting means comprises a generally S-shapedprong integral with the end of each arm. Each prong includes anupstanding portion 112, substantially normal to the plane of the arms111 and disposed to bear against the front surface 54 of the aperturedpanel 50, an outwardly extending portion 113 substantially parallel toboth the plane of the arms 111 and to the arms themselves and directedaway from the closed end 115 of the rod member 110, and an upstandingportion 114, substantially normal to the plane of the arms 111 anddisposed to bear against the back surface 55 of the apertured panel 50.The portion 113 has a length only slightly greater than the thickness ofthe apertured panel 50. The tips of the mounting prongs of the arms 111are inserted through a horizontally adjacent pair of holes 51 inapertured panel 50 and the hanger device 100 is lowered into theposition shown in FIGS. 5 and wherein the portion 114 bears against theback surface 55 of apertured panel 50, portion 1 13 extends through thehole 51 and portion 112 bears against the front surface 54 of theapertured panel 50. In this position the plane of the arms 111 issubstantially horizontal.

The rod member 110 may be formed of any material of suitable strengthand resiliency, either plastic or metal, but is preferably formed from asingle piece of steel rod or wire. The rod may be of any desireddiameter so long as it does not exceed the diameter of the aperturedpanel holes and the U- shaped member may be of any desired length tosupport varying numbers of packages of varying weights.

Fitted over rod member 110 is a sleevelike member 120 which ispreferably formed of a single piece of material which, in its preformedcondition has a length approximately equal to the length of the rodmember 110. The piece of material is shaped to extend across the arms111 forming an upper portion 122, to wrap around the outside of the arms111 forming arcuate side portions 123, and to fold back upon itselfunderneath the arms 111 forming lower portions 124 substantiallyparallel to upper portion 122. There is thereby described a thinsleevelike member capable of being fitted over the rod member 110 fromits closed end 115 and capable of being slid longitudinally along rodmember 110 to extend the length thereof by varying amounts. FIG. 5 showsthe member 120 in an extended position and FIG. 6 shows it in the sameextended position and also shows a phantom view of it in a retractedposition with the edges 126 of portions 122 and 124 in contact withportions 112 of member 110.

In the center of the upper portion 122 there is an upwardly extendingridge 125 which is substantially U-shaped in cross section and whichextends the entire length of member 120. The height of the ridge 125 isapproximately one-half the length of the vertical rectangle comprisingpart of slot 63, thereby allowing the packages 60 to be easily placed onthe member 120 for display, and yet preventing them from beingaccidentally knocked off the hanger. Once placed on the hanger, thepackages are maintained in a centered position since the ridge 125prevents them from being laterally displaced.

The sleeve member 120 may be formed from metal or plastic or any othersuitable material, but in the preferred embodiment it is formed fromlight gauge sheet steel.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the basic hanger device 100 of FIGS. 1through 6 includes an additional extension hook 140 slidably mounted inthe sleevelike member 120.

The extension hook 140 has a substantially oval shape and includes apair of substantially parallel arms 143, and arcuate closed end 144integral with the parallel arms, and an upturned arcuate end 145opposite end 144 and having terminals 142 with an opening 141therebetween. The terminals 142 are preferably flat and spaced slightlyapart at a distance slightly greater than the width of an arm 111 of rodmember 110 although they may abut if so desired. The end 145 is upturnedand extending outwardly and curved upwardly from display board 50. Theupturned end 145 is preferably of the size and shape indicated in FIGS.7 and 10 of the drawing and serves to prevent packages of merchandisefrom accidentally sliding off the hanger device 100, if from the weightof displayed merchandise or otherwise, the hanger 100 or board 50 shouldbecome tilted slightly downward. The upturned end 145 also serves toprevent articles from being accidentally knocked off the hanger 100 bypassers-by.

It is evident that this object may also be furthered by shaping theextension hook 140 so that the angle formed between the arms I43 and theupstanding portions 112 is slightly less than 90, thereby imparting aslight upward tilt to the rod member 110 when it is in its operativeposition mounted on the apertured panel 50. Thus, merchandise packages60 will tend to slide toward panel 50 rather than away from it.

The extension hook 140 extends into the sleevelike member in much thesame manner as the support member 110 does. The parallel arms 143 andthe arcuate end 144 fit inside the groove formed by the upper surfaceportion 122, the side portions 123, and the lower portion 124. The hookis adapted to slide longitudinally along the groove of the sleevelikemember 120, by varying amounts for further adjust ing the length of thehanger device 100.

The extension hook 140 may be formed from the same material as thesupporting member 110 and may be made in a variety of sizes, althoughmost commonly the length of the arms 143 is several times that of thedistance between them, which is preferably the same as that between thearms 111 of the rod member 110.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the extension hook 140 is shown in its storedposition. As shown, the extension hook 140 is hung over an arm 111 ofthe rod member 110 close to the upturned portion 112. As previouslystated, the opening 141 is larger than the width of the arm 111 toenable the hook 140 to be easily and conveniently hung in the describedmanner.

The addition of the extension hook to the hanger device 100 allows amerchant to exhibit a much larger quantity of merchandise at any onetime. This feature provides additional storage space within view of thecustomer and eliminates the need for storing small quantities of a largenumber of items in a back room area. As the displayed merchandise isold, the extension hook is slid longitudinally rearwardly toward thefront surface 54 of the display board 50 so as to keep the remainingpackages 60 close to the upturned end 145 of the extension hook 140, sothat the customer may readily pick the package from the hanger device100. As the supply decreases, the extension hook may no longer benecessary to display the remaining packages and, at such a time, may bestored, as shown in FIG. 9 by hanging it over an arm 111 of the rodmember 110. At this time the extended sleevelike member 120 holds thenext-to-be-purchased packages. Similarly, as these packages arepurchased, the sleevelike member 120 is slid back until it is fullyretracted and the remaining packages are contained on the rod member110.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided anovel apertured panel hanger device characterized by easily adjustablelength, simple three-piece construction for inexpensive manufacture, andan extension hook for providing adjustable increased length to thehanger, the hook being easily and conveniently stored when not in use,and a ridge being provided on the sleevelike member for centering thedisplayed packagesv While there has been described what is at presentcon sidered to be certain preferred embodiments of the invention, itwill be understood that various modifications may be made therein, andit is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable hanger device for use with a supporting upstandingapertured panel having a plurality of pairs of holes therethrough, thetwo holes of each of said pairs of holes being aligned horizontally andspaced apart a predetermined distance, said hanger device comprising asupport member ineluding two spaced-apart substantially parallel armseach having at one end means for mounting thereof in an associated holeof one of said pairs of holes, a sleevelike member including a singlepiece of material including an upper portion extending across the uppersurfaces of said arms and side portions integral with said upper portionand wrapped around the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelike memberbeing fitted across said arms and adapted to slide longitudinally alongsaid support member for adjusting the length of said hanger device, andan extension hook including two spaced-apart substantially parallel armsextending into said sleevelike member and adapted to slidelongitudinally with respect to said sleevelike member for furtheradjusting the length of said hanger device.

2. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein, the extension hookhas its outer end upturned to prevent hanging articles from accidentallysliding therefrom.

3. The adjustable hanger device of claim 2 wherein said extension hookhas an opening at its outer end to allow said extension hook to be hungover one of said first-mentioned arms when said extension hook is not inuse.

4. An adjustable hanger device for use with a supporting upstandingapertured panel having a plurality of pairs of holes therethrough, thetwo holes of each of said pairs of holes being aligned horizontally andspaced apart a predetermined distance, said hanger device comprising asupport member including two spaced-apart substantially parallel armseach having at one end means for mounting thereof in an associated holeof one of said pairs of holes, a sleevelike member including a singlepiece of material including an upper portion extending across the uppersurfaces of said arms and side portions integral with said upper portionand wrapped around the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelike memberbeing fitted across said arms and adapted to slide longitudinally alongsaid support member for adjusting the length of said hanger device, andan extension hook including two spaced-apart substantially parallel armsextending into the sleevelike member and adapted to slide longitudinallywith respect to said sleevelike member for further adjusting the lengthof said hanger device, said upper portion having an upwardly extendingridge in the center thereof to center hanging articles supported on saidsleevelike member.

5. An adjustable hanger device for use with a supporting upstandingapertured panel having a plurality of pairs of horizontally alignedholes there through, said hanger device comprising a support memberincluding two spaced-apart substantially parallel arms, means on the endof each of said arms for insertion in the holes of the panel formounting said hanger device thereon, and an integral sleevelike memberincluding an upper portion and depending side portions substantiallycoextensive in length with said upper portion, said sleevelike memberbeing fitted across said arms and said side portions being wrappedaround the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelike member beingadapted to slide longitudinally along said support member for adjustingthe length of said hanger device to provide a hanger device extendableto substantially twice the length of said parallel arms, said upperportion having an upwardly protruding ridge extending substantiallyalong the entire longitudinal extent of said upper portion in the centerthereof to center hanging articles supported on said sleevelike member.

1. An adjustable hanger device for use with a supporting upstandingapertured panel having a plurality of pairs of holes therethrough, thetwo holes of each of said pairs of holes being aligned horizontally andspaced apart a predetermined distance, said hanger device comprising asupport member including two spaced-apart substantially parallel armseach having at one end means for mounting thereof in an associated holeof one of said pairs of holes, a sleevelike member including a singlepiece of material including an upper portion extending across the uppersurfaces of said arms and side portions integral with said upper portionand wrapped around the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelike memberbeing fitted across said arms and adapted to slide longitudinally alongsaid support member for adjusting the length of said hanger device, andan extension hook including two spaced-apart substantially parallel armsextending into said sleevelike member and adapted to slidelongitudinally with respect to said sleevelike member for furtheradjusting the length of said hanger device.
 2. The adjustable hangerdevice of claim 1, wherein, the extension hook has its outer endupturned to prevent hanging articles from accidentally slidingtherefrom.
 3. The adjustable hanger device of claim 2 wherein saidextension hook has an opening at its outer end to allow said extensionhook to be hung over one of said first-mentioned arms when saidextension hook is not in use.
 4. An adjustable hanger device for usewith a supporting upstanding apertured panel having a plurality of pairsof holes therethrough, the two holes of each of said pairs of holesbeing aligned horizontally and spaced apart a predetermined distance,said hanger device comprising a support member including twospaced-apart substantially parallel arms each having at one end meansfor mounting thereof in an associated hole of one of said pairs ofholes, a sleevelike member including a single piece of materialincluding an upper portion extending across the upper surfaces of saidarms and side portions integral with said upper portion and wrappedaround the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelike member being fittedacross said arms and adapted to slide longitudinally along said supportmember for adjusting the length of said hanger device, and an extensionhook including two spaced-apart substantially parallel arms extendinginto the sleevelike member and adapted to slide longitudinally withrespect to said sleevelike member for further adjusting the length ofsaid hanger device, said upper portion having an upwardly extendingridge in the center thereof to center hanging articles supported on saidsleevelike member.
 5. An adjustable hanger device for use with asupporting upstanding apertured panel having a plurality of pairs ofhorizontally aligned holes there through, said hanger device comprisinga support member including two spaced-apart substantially parallel arms,means on the end of each of said arms for insertion in the holes of thepanel for mounting said hanger device thereon, and an integralsleevelike member including an upper portion and depending side portionssubstantially coextensive in length with said upper portion, saidsleevelike member being fitted across said arms and said side portionsbeing wrapped around the outer sides of said arms, said sleevelikemember being adapted to slide longitudinally along said support memberfor adjusting the length of said hanger device to provide a hangerdevice extendable to substantially twice the length of said parallelarms, said upper portion having an upwardly protruding ridge extendingsubstantially along the entire longitudinal extent of said upper portionin the center thereof to center hanging articles supported on saidsleevelike member.